Device and method for monitoring a heating appliance

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a system for monitoring a heating apparatus that includes a motion detector configured to determine whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The motion detector is default deactivated. Further disclosed is a heat sensor configured to determine whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold. The heat sensor is default deactivated. A processor is in operable communication with each of the motion detector and the heat sensor configured to cyclically repeat a first countdown. The heat sensor is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The processor is configured to perform a second countdown when the activated heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold. The second countdown is reset each time the motion detector determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus. Further disclosed is a transmitter configured to send data signals to an outside device when the processor reaches the end of the second countdown, and a receiver configured to receive data signals from the outside device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of and claimspriority from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/107,720filed Dec. 16, 2013, and entitled “Device and Method for Monitoring aHeating Appliance, which is a continuation-in-part and claims priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/909,902 filed Oct. 22, 2010 andnow U.S. Pat. No. 8,610,036 and entitled “Device and Method forMonitoring a Heating Appliance,” the disclosures of which are eachincorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent thatthey are not inconsistent with the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a device andmethod for monitoring a heating appliance. More particularly, thesubject matter relates to a device and method for alerting a user when aheating appliance is on and left unattended.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heating appliances such as stoves, ovens, grills, fryers, and the likeshould be monitored regularly when in use. Forgetting about a heatingappliance may result in an over cooked meal. However, an overcooked mealmay be a minor concern when compared with the potential safety hazardcaused by leaving a heating appliance unattended. This is because itemsleft on the stove, oven, grill, fryer, and the like may overheat,resulting in the production of smoke and fire. In such a situation, astandard fire alarm may not alert a user until after flames have alreadyignited. This is because fire alarms typically sense the presence ofsmoke, which is an immediate precursor to a fire. As a result, heatingappliances can be extremely dangerous to an unwary and forgetful user.

Thus, a device and method for alerting a user when a heating applianceis on and left unattended would be well received in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a system for monitoring a heating apparatuscomprises: a sensing structure configured to determine whether a personis proximate the heating apparatus, the sensing structure furtherconfigured to determine whether the heating apparatus has a temperaturethat is above a threshold; a processor in operable communication withthe sensing structure configured to cyclically repeat a first countdown,and wherein the sensing structure is temporarily activated once duringeach of the repeated first countdowns, and wherein the processor isconfigured to perform a second countdown when the activated sensingstructure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature thatis above the threshold, and wherein the second countdown is reset eachtime the sensing structure determines that a person is proximate theheating apparatus; and an alarm configured to notify a user when theprocessor reaches the end of the second countdown.

According to another aspect, a system for monitoring a heating apparatuscomprises: a sensing structure configured to determine whether a personis proximate the heating apparatus, the sensing structure furtherconfigured to determine whether the heating apparatus has a temperaturethat is above a threshold; a processor in operable communication withthe sensing structure configured to cyclically repeat a first countdown,and wherein the sensing structure is temporarily activated once duringeach of the repeated first countdowns, and wherein the processor isconfigured to perform a second countdown when the activated sensingstructure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature thatis increasing at a rate greater than a threshold, and wherein the secondcountdown is reset each time the sensing structure determines that aperson is proximate the heating apparatus; and an alarm configured tonotify a user when the processor reaches the end of the secondcountdown.

According to yet another aspect, a method of monitoring a heatingapparatus comprises: repeating a first countdown of a first set periodwith a processor; activating a sensing structure at the end of each ofthe repeated first countdowns, the sensing structure configured todetermine whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is abovea threshold; performing a second countdown of a second set period withthe processor when the heat sensor determines that the heating apparatushas the temperature that is above the threshold; detecting motion withthe sensing structure when the sensing structure determines that theheating apparatus has a temperature that is above the threshold;resetting the second countdown when motion is detected by the motionsensor; and alarming a user with an alarm when the processor reaches theend of the second countdown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a device located on a countertop inproximity of a stove top in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of the device for monitoring the heatingappliance of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in accordancewith one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a method for monitoring a heatingappliance in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic view of a system including a device andmonitoring headend in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a device located on a countertop inproximity of a stove top in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 depicts a schematic view of a device in accordance with oneembodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts a schematic view of a device in accordance with oneembodiment;

FIG. 9 depicts a schematic view of a device in accordance with anotherembodiment;

FIG. 10 depicts a schematic view of a system in accordance with anotherembodiment;

FIG. 11 depicts a schematic view of a system in accordance with anotherembodiment;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a the device of FIG. 9 installedin a ceiling in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the deviceof FIG. 9 hanging from a ceiling in accordance with another embodiment;and

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of the device of FIG. 9 in accordancewith another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of thedisclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way ofexemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a device 10 formonitoring a heating apparatus 12. While the heating apparatus 12 may bea stove as shown in FIG. 1, other heating apparatuses are contemplated.For example, it should be understood that the device 10 may beconfigured to monitor ovens, grills, fryers, or the like. The device 10may be encased into a typical kitchen apparatus, such as flower vase asshown in the Figures. However, other kitchen apparatuses arecontemplated such as spice racks, knife holders, utensils, clocks,coffee makers, tea pots, or the like. It should be understood that anyapparatus that would typically be used, or look natural, on a countertopis contemplated. Alternately, the device 10 may be hangable from aceiling. In this embodiment, the device 10 may be integrated into ahanging light or fan, for example. Furthermore, the device 10 may simplybe attachable or integrated into the heating appliance 12 itself. Thedevice 10 includes a motion detector 14, a heat sensor 16, a timer 18,an alarm 20, and a processor 22 that work in conjunction to alert a userthat the heating appliance 12 has been left unattended. The device 10 isplaceable in the proximity of the heating apparatus 12 such that theheat sensor 16 is able to detect the temperature of the heatingappliance 12 and the motion detector 14 is able to detect movement in aproximity area 24 of the heating appliance 12. It should be understoodthat embodiments of the device 10 may be battery powered, solar powered,or may be plugged in to an outlet.

The motion detector 14 may further be deactivated by default. This maybe advantageous in order to conserve energy that is used by the device10 or battery life of the device 10. The motion detector 14 may be aninfrared sensor, or any type of sensor that is able to detect whether auser is in the proximity of the heating apparatus 12. The motiondetector 14 may be particularly configured to detect motion only in anarea 24 proximate the heating appliance 12. Thus, the motion detector 14may be able to detect that a user has walked by or maintaining apresence at the heating appliance 12 and is presumably aware of thetemperature and heating state of the heating appliance 12. The motiondetector 14 may be able to distinguish this proximate motion at theheating appliance 12 with other movements that occur at fartherdistances from the heating appliance 12. This is because movementoccurring too far from the heating appliance 12 may not indicate thatthe user is currently aware of the temperature and heating state of theheating appliance 12. In one embodiment, the motion detector 14 maysimply not be able to detect motion that occurs at a location that isfarther than a predetermined distance. Alternately, the processor 22 maybe able to distinguish this proximate movement from the movementoccurring at a predetermined distance from the heating appliance 12.Furthermore, the motion detector 14 may be able to distinguish theheight at which the movement occurs. The motion detector 14 may beconfigured to not detect motion that is below a certain height so thatthe device 10 can distinguish between children and adults in thevicinity of the heating appliance 12. Alternately, the motion detector14 can sense motion at any height and the processor 22 may distinguishthat motion of a certain height means that a user is currently aware ofthe heating appliance 12. While the embodiment depicted includes asingle motion detector 14, it may be beneficial to include a pluralityof motion detectors. For example, a plurality of motion detectors 14 maybe able to detect in a broader area of space around the proximity of theheating apparatus 12.

Like the motion detector 14, the heat sensor 16 may also be deactivatedby default. Again, this may be advantageous in order to conserve energythat is used by the device 10 or battery life of the device 10. The heatsensor 16 may be an infrared sensor, or any other sensor known to thoseskilled in the art that can make an exact or approximate determinationof the temperature of an object or the amount of heat radiating from anobject. In one embodiment, the heat sensor 16 and the motion detector 14may be the same sensor. Thus, the heat sensor 16 may also detect motionin the vicinity of the heating apparatus 12. However, in the embodimentdepicted, the device 10 includes two separate sensors 14, 16 to motionand heat respectively. While the embodiment depicted includes a singleheat sensor 16, it may further be beneficial to include a plurality ofeach of these detection mechanisms. For example, a plurality of heatsensors 16 may be able to detect in a broader area of space.

The timer 18 may be configured to cyclically repeat a first countdown.At the end of the first countdown, the heat sensor 16 may be activatedtemporarily in order to sense heat being emitted from the heatingapparatus 12. The period of the first countdown may be, for example, 10minutes. Other periods are contemplated. For example, the period of thefirst countdown may be between five minutes and thirty minutes. Theperiod of the first countdown should be set such that the heatingapparatus 12 may be on for this length of time without being hazardous.The timer 18 is configured to perform a second countdown when theactivated heat sensor 16 determines that the heating apparatus 12 is on.The second countdown may have the same period as the first countdown, ora different period, depending on the embodiment. When the secondcountdown is being performed, the motion detector 14 may be activated.When motion is detected, the second countdown may be reset such that theperiod must be re-counted. This resetting may continue each time motionis detected by the motion detector 14. However, if the second countdownreaches the end without any detected motion, the alarm 20 may beconfigured to notify a user that the heating apparatus 12 is leftunattended.

It should be understood that the alarm 20 may be an audible alarm. Thus,the device 10 may include one or more speakers so that the alarm is loudenough to alert a user that may be in another room from the heatingappliance 12. The audible waves of the alarm may have a frequency andamplitude of a typical fire alarm. However, other embodiments arecontemplated. For example, the alarm 20 may also be a visual alarm. Thismay be particularly beneficial when a user is hearing impaired. Ofcourse, the alarm 20 may include both audible and visual components.Furthermore, the device 10 may send a signal to an off-site remote alarm(not shown) in addition to the integrated alarm 20. The off-site alarmmay be an alarm similar to the alarm 20 in another room of the housethan the room that the device 10 is in. For example, the device may senda signal to an off-site alarm in a study or living room. Furthermore,the off-site remote alarm may signal to a user that is locatedcompletely out of the house that the heating apparatus 12 is located.For example, the device 10 may be configured to automatically notify auser's cell phone, computer, telephone or any other device. In the casethat the device 10 contacts a user's cell phone to alarm the user, theuser may be required to download an application that allows forcommunication with the device 10 in order to alarm the user in a similarmanner to the alarm 20 as described herein above.

Furthermore, the timer 18 may be configured to stop the second countdownand revert back to the initial first countdown when the heat sensor 16determines that the temperature is back below the threshold. Thus, theheat sensor 16 may be active during the second countdown, eithercontinuously or temporarily at intervals. Furthermore, even if the heatsensor 16 determines that the temperature is above the threshold, thetimer 18 may be configured to stop the second countdown and revert backto the first countdown when the heat sensor 16 determines that thetemperature of the heating apparatus 12 is steadily declining. This maysignal to the device 10 or the processor 22 that the heating appliance12 is turned off and may prevent the alarm 20 from inadvertentlynotifying a user in such a situation.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the device 10 including themotion detector 14, the heat sensor 16, the timer 18, the alarm 20 andthe processor 22. Any or all of the motion detector 14, the heat sensor16, the timer 18, the alarm 20 and the processor 22 may be locatedwithin the housing of the device 10. As shown, the operations of thetimer 18 in conjunction with the heat sensor 14, the motion detector 16,and the alarm 20, as described hereinabove, may be controlled anddirected by the processor 22. It should further be understood that thedevice 10 may also include memory 26 that is connected to the processor22 for storing the programming to perform the functions describedhereinabove. Alternately or in addition to the memory 26, the device 10may also be controlled through firmware that is embedded into the device10 or the processor 22.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 3, the device 10 may include aninput interface 28. The input interface 28 may allow a user to changethe period of least one of the first countdown and the second countdown.Thus, the input interface 28 may include a user display 30 fordisplaying the settings to the user. The input interface 28 may be asimple toggle that provides for the shortening or extension of either orboth of the countdowns. For example, the user interface 28 includes upand down arrows for increasing or decreasing the numerical value inputs.Other functions of the device 10 may also be altered by a user throughthe input interface 28. For example, the threshold temperaturesdescribed hereinabove may also be toggled. Thus, low simmeringtemperatures may be prevented from triggering the device 10 fromentering into the second countdown. The input interface 28 may or maynot include an on/off switch for the device 10. In one embodiment, forexample, there may not be an on/off switch for the device 10 because thedevice 10 is always in an “on” state as long as it is plugged in, hascharged batteries, or is otherwise powered. In this “on” state there maybe no way to deactivate the device 10, other than unplugging, removingbatteries, or otherwise unpowering the device 10. Furthermore, this “on”state should not be meant to imply that the heat sensor 16 and themotion detector 14 are always “on” but rather that the internal timer 18is performing its countdowns and turning the heat sensor 16 and themotion detector 14 “on” at various intervals as described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of a method 100 for monitoring aheating appliance, such as the heating appliance 12, is shown. Themethod 100 first includes a step 110 of performing a first countdown ofa first set period with a timer, such as the timer 18. The method 100then includes a step 112 of activating a heat sensor, such as the heatsensor 14, once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The heatsensor may be configured to determine whether the heating apparatus hasa temperature that is above a threshold. If the heat sensor determinesthat the heat is below the threshold, the first countdown is repeated.If the heat sensor determines that the heat is above the threshold, themethod 100 may then proceed to a step 114 of performing a secondcountdown of a second set period with the timer.

During the second countdown, the method 100 includes a step 116detecting motion with a motion sensor, such as the motion sensor 16,when the heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has atemperature that is above the threshold. Next, the method 100 includes astep 118 of resetting the second countdown when motion is detected bythe motion sensor. The method 100 then involves a step 120 of alarming auser when the timer reaches the end of the second countdown. It shouldbe understood that the method 100 may further include providing a singledevice for housing the heat sensor, the timer, the motion sensor and thealarm. Further, the method 100 may include a step 126 of manuallydeactivating the alarm by a user. The method 100 may further include astep 122 of deactivating the first countdown of the timer when the timeris performing the second countdown.

Furthermore, the method 100 may include a step 124 of intermittentlydetecting the temperature of the heating apparatus with the heat sensorduring the second countdown. It should be understood that theintermittent temperature detection may have the same countdown period asthe first countdown period. Further, the intermittent detecting step 124may be being performed by the method 100 during the detecting motionstep 116 during the second countdown. Furthermore, the method 100 mayinclude a step 126 of reverting back to the first countdown if it isdetermined that either: (1) the temperature is below the threshold; or(2) that the temperature is decreasing, as described hereinabove. If thetemperature remains above the threshold and the temperature is notdropping, the step of intermittently detecting temperature 124 maycontinue.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in another embodiment, the device 10 may beconfigured to send information to a remote location such as a monitoringheadend 210. In this embodiment, the device 10 may be located in auser's home 200. The monitoring headend 210 may not be located withinthe user's home 200, but rather may be located off site and connectedvia a network 212. The monitoring headend 210 may provide for monitoringof multiple devices 10 such as a first device10 a, a second device 10 b,and a third device 10 c located in a first home 200 a, a second home 200b, and a third home 200 c. The monitoring head end 210 may thus beconnected to any number of the devices 10 located in any number of homes200. The monitoring headend 210 may be a service provided by themanufacturer or distributor of the device 10. A single monitoringheadend 210 may monitor hundreds or thousands of devices 10simultaneously. The monitoring headend 210 may be configured to bothreceive information from the device 10, but may also send informationback to the devices 10, or other systems found in the home 200, such asalarm systems, doorbells, telephones, mobile phones, televisions, or thelike. Moreover, the monitoring headend 210 may be configured to send asignal to the device 10 in order to operate the device 10. For example,the monitoring headed 210 may be configured to turn on the device 10 ata user or homeowner's request. The monitoring headend 210 may beconfigured to turn on the motion sensor of the device 10 in order toallow the device to see if a person was in the vicinity of the stove inreal time, or to see if a cook was there recently, or to monitor for howlong there has been no movement in the vicinity of the device 10. Themonitoring headend 210 may further store any information provided by thedevice 10 in a database which can be accessed by a user at a later time.

It should further be understood that the device 10 may actually be asystem, rather than a single device with a single housing. In otherwords, the system may include a separate alarm component, motiondetector component, heat detector component, smoke detector component,carbon detector component, processor, data storage location, and thelike. These components may be separate components that are located atvarious locations in a room or house to optimize functionality of thesystem. Thus, when “the device” is referred to here, it should beunderstood that a single device, or a multi-component system arecontemplated.

The monitoring headend 210 may further be a video monitoring system orservice. In this embodiment, the expiration of the second countdown andthe activation of the alarm may alert the monitoring headend 210 inorder to do a video search of the relevant room, i.e. kitchen, todetermine if there is a fire or other dangerous situation. Themonitoring headed 210 may respond accordingly, should such a situationbe present.

In one embodiment, the device 10 may actually include an attachedcamera. The camera may be viewable remotely from a cell phone, through awireless Wi-Fi system or hard wired security system. This camera couldprovide the installer with a means of ensuring that the device 10 wasfacing the proper direction for ensuring motion will be properlydetected. The camera and video information could also be accessible bythe headed 210.

Thus, the device 10 may be configured to both send and receive datasignals and information. The device 10 may be a full duplexcommunication system, or may alternately be a half-duplex communicationsystem. Because of the capabilities of the device 10 to both receive andsend data signals, the device may be remotely controllable via bluetooth, radio, an internet link, a cell phone, a satellite, or otherremove media. Moreover, the device 10 may further be configured to storedata or information at a remove server, or internally within the device,for later collection in applications which are accessible via computers,tablets, laptops, mobile communicators (cell phones), and the like.

In assisted living situations, it should be understood that themonitoring headend 210 may be a central monitoring station in anassisted living facility. In this way, the assisted living facility maymonitor the status of the device 10, and would know when the alarm wassounded due to the expiration of the second countdown with no movement.In this embodiment, the staff members of the assisted living facilitycould check in on the room as soon as the alarm information was providedto the monitoring headed 210 of the assisted living facility.

In other embodiments, the computing power of the device 10 may be foundin the cloud. In other words, the device 10 may be set up to wirelesslyconnect to a local wireless network. Once connected, the device 10 maybe configured to interact with the cloud in order to reduce thecomputational power required from the device 10. For example, thedetermination of when to alarm or notify a user may be made bycalculations occurring at a remote location or server, such as at themonitoring headend 210. The device 10 may not need to be equipped toperform such calculations or algorithms.

The device 10 may further use Wi-Fi to communicate with other householddevices in range. For example, the device 10 may further communicatewith a home alarm system. This may allow the device 10 to sound an alarmin other locations of the house if the conditions for the alarm havebeen met, as described hereinabove. For example, if the internal timerreaches end of the second countdown, the device 10 may be configured tosound a local alarm directly from a speaker in the device 10, butadditionally the device 10 may communicate with other alarms found invarious other locations of the home to also sound the alarm. The device10 may further be configured to set off alarms or warnings in ahierarchy or order. For example, upon the second countdown expiring withno movement in the vicinity, the device 10 may be configured to soundthe local alarm. If, after a predetermined time (i.e. one or moreminutes), no movement is found proximate the device 10, the device 10may set an alarm in other rooms of the house. Next, if there is still nomovement after a predetermined amount of time, the device 10 may call apre-programmed cell phone or telephone number of a user. This call maybe pre-recorded with an automated reminder message. Finally, if there isno movement after another set amount of time, the device may contact theauthorities, or may contact the monitoring headend 210. It should beunderstood that this is just one example of a hierarchical order whichascends in intrusiveness as the time progresses. The hierarchy mayfurther include a single alarm becoming increasingly louder, orotherwise intrusive, as time goes on.

Another embodiment of a device 300 is shown in FIG. 6. The device 300may be similar to the device 10 in all respects. Thus, the device 300may, for example, include a heat sensor 350, a motion detector 352, auser display 354, and an input interface 356. The device 300 may furtherinclude a processor (not shown). However, the device 300 may furtherinclude a base 310. The base 310 may be a stationary element which isadhered, bolted, or otherwise permanently attached to a countertop, wallor ceiling. The base 310 may include a keyed opening or bore such thatthe device 300 may be insertable into the keyed opening or bore to resttherein. Because the opening or bore is keyed, the device 300 may bespecifically insertable into the opening in a single position such thatit is always pointed in the direction of the stove. Therefore, thedevice 300 is prevented from being replaced into the base 310 in anincorrect position or facing an incorrect direction. The base 310 mayinclude a charger, in one embodiment. This may allow a user to removethe device 300 from the base 310 in order to clean the device 300 orotherwise service the device 300, and then replace the deviceconsistently in the proper orientation, position, and direction formonitoring.

Still further, the device 300 may include a laser pointer 312 or beam.The laser pointer 312 or beam may be configured to shine a laser in thedirection that the device 300 motion sensors are pointing to indicate toa user how to orient the device 300 to ensure the motion sense ispointed in the proper direction. This laser may shine either as a directpoint, or may shine in an area, where the area is the area that thedevice 300 is able to detect motion within, for example. The same laseror a second laser (not shown) may be utilized in order to determine thedirection in which the heat sensor is pointed, or even a smoke sensor.In another embodiment, the device 300 may not include a motion sensorintegrated within. Rather, the device 300 may communicate wirelesslywith a different motion sensor that was set at a different location in aroom, or a different room altogether. This may enable the system to geta better view of the area that is being detected. The motion sensor mayeven be part of a security system installed in the home. In this way,the device 300 may be an integral component to a home security system.

In one embodiment, the device 10, 300 may include temperatureadjustments in order for a user to set a particular temperature belowwhich the device 10, 300 may not be configured to alarm the user. Forexample, if a user was cooking a stew all day at a low temperature, thedevice 10, 300 may be set to refrain from entering into the internaltimer sequence. Likewise, time may also be adjustable. In thisembodiment, the time of the first and second countdowns may be set bythe user. Additionally, the time may revert back to default settingsafter a cooking session finishes. Thus, if a user sets the timer to 20minutes once to slow cook a particular meal, the next time the userattempts to cook again, the slow set timer will not remain. This mayprevent settings being adjusted for dangerously long times.

In one embodiment, the device 10, 300 may be configured to call anowner's mobile communicator, cell phone, telephone, or other device tonotify the user that the battery of the device 10, 300 is running low.Alternately, this telephonic communication may notify the user that thedevice 10, 300 has not detected movement despite the heat of the stoveor oven being on for the set period of time. Rather than sending atelephonic communication, the device 10, 300 may instead send out acommunicating signal to a home system in order to wirelessly shut off agas valve to the stove or to the house itself. In the same way, thedevice 10, 300 may send a signal which cuts electricity to the stove oroven, or turns off the power of the stove or oven.

In a further embodiment, the device 10, 300 may include a smoke andcarbon detector (such as carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide). Thesedetectors may, for example, be default disabled and may be activated aspart of a hierarchy of alarms, as described hereinabove. If the device10, 300 detects the absence of motion during the second countdown, thedevice 10, 300 may turn on a smoke alarm and/or carbon alarm. Theseadditional alarms may look for a proof of fire and respond accordingly.For example, the device 10, 300 may sound an alarm if fire was detectedor contact the monitoring headed 210 or other appropriate authority. Thesmoke detector and carbon detector may further be included in thehierarchy of alarms which are enabled the longer the device 10, 300remains without detecting movement. Still further, the device 10, 300may be in operable communication with the HVAC system of a household.The device 10, 300 may send a controlling signal to the HVAC system ifsmoke, carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide is detected. This signal may besent, for example, via blue tooth or over Wi-Fi or via a wiredconnection. The signal may be configured to stop the fan operations ofthe HVAC system in order to prevent the spread of dangerous gases in thehousehold.

Motion detected by the motion detector 352 may not be configured to shutoff the alarm in all cases. For example, in one embodiment, if the alarmhas been sounding for a set elongated length of time, the detection ofmotion will not impact the alarm. Thus, if the alarm has been soundingfor this set elongated length of time, the alarm may be required to bereset manually, rather than simply by the detection of motion. This mayprevent the device 300 from detecting motion in the form of smoke toturn off the alarm. Smoke may appear increasingly like movement to themotion detector 352 the more invasive it pervades a room. As such, thisfeature should prevent the device 300 from turning off the alarm whenthere is simply a lot of smoke being detected. In other embodiments, thedevice 300 may otherwise detect the difference between human motion andsmoke motion. It should be understood that these features may be appliedto any of the devices described herein.

In still another embodiment, alarm information may be sent from thedevice 10, 300 to an insurance carrier. In this embodiment, the purchaseof the device 10, 300 may reduce a homeowners premium due to the safetythe device 10, 300 provides for the home. However, the reduced premiummay be subject to monitoring by the insurance companies to make sure anyunsafe activity does not occur, or does not occur frequently.

The device 10, 300 may further sound an alarm when the device 10, 300needs to be cleaned. For example, the device 10, 300 may be able tosense when the motion monitoring lens is covered or dirty. The alarm maybe a different alarm than the notification alarm that occurs when thedevice 10, 300 reaches the end of the second countdown. The cleaningalarm may also be activated when a predetermined amount of time haspassed since the most recent cleaning.

In FIG. 7, another embodiment of a device 400 is shown. In thisembodiment, the functionality described hereinabove is incorporated intoa wall or ceiling mounted smoke alarm 400. Alternately, in thisembodiment, the functionality above may be incorporated in a devicewhich is mountable on a ceiling in a similar manner to a ceilingamounted smoke alarm, as described herein. In one embodiment, the smokealarm device or smoke detector 400 may be either an ionization or aphotoelectric smoke alarm, for example. In this embodiment, the smokealarm device 400 may include a motion detector 412, a processor 414, andan internal timer 416 as described hereinabove. Further, the device 400may include a receiver 418 and a transmitter 420 for sending andreceiving signals to other outside devices such as the monitoringheadend 210. Thus, it should be understood that any of the devices 10,300, 400 described herein may be attachable to the wall, ceiling,countertop, or the like.

In an embodiment where the device 400 is configured to be attachable toa ceiling, the device 400 may be controllable by a separate handheldcontroller (not shown), remote or “clicker.” The controller may beconfigured to utilize a user interface which may adjust the timer forthe alarm, and the temperature parameters. In some embodiments, thehandheld controller may be configured to move the direction that themotion detector 412 is facing, or the direction in which the heat sensoror smoke detector is facing. Thus, the motion detector 412, heat sensor,and smoke detector components may actually be a movable component withinthe housing of the rest of the device 400. For example, the motiondetector may be a circular lens resembling an eyeball, which isconfigured to rotate based on an input from the controller or other userinterface. It should be understood that this movable motion detector 412may be applied to any of the embodiments of devices described herein.

Still further, components of the systems described herein may beseparate from each other. For example, the heat sensor may be located ina component which is located near the stove. The motion detector may,for example, be located across the room from the heat sensor and thestove in order to give the best movement reading for the house or roomin question. The alarm may be located on the ceiling next to or within asmoke or carbon alarm. Still further, some or all of the components ofthe device 10, 300, 400 may be located within a stove or oven. In thisway, the device 10, 300, 400 may be integrated into the cook top controlpanel.

In yet another embodiment, a smoke detector or smoke alarm device 500 iscontemplated as shown in FIG. 8. The smoke detector 500 may include asmoke detection unit 510, an alarm 512, a motion detection unit 514, atransmitter 516 and a receiver 518. Each of these components may be inoperable (both wired or wireless) communication with a processor 520. Inpractice, the smoke detector 500 may include a countdown mechanism onthe timer in a similar manner described hereinabove with the device 10.The smoke detector 500 may therefore prevent the alarm 512 from soundingeven if smoke was detected by the smoke detection unit 510 if movementwas determined to be present in the vicinity of the smoke by the motiondetector unit 514. In this embodiment, no countdown may exist. Rather,the smoke detector 500 may simply first send an immediate inquiry to themotion detection unit 514 as to whether there is motion in the vicinityof the smoke detector 500, when smoke is present. The smoke detector 500may then refrain from sounding the alarm. The smoke detector 500 mayfurther have a heat sensor unit 520 therein which may be pointed at theoven or stove. This heat sensor 520 may help the smoke detector 500 fromdetermining a situation that was a real fire, versus a situation wherethe oven or stove was creating harmless cooking smoke. Thus, if a heatsensor 520 detects cooking level heat coming from the stove while thesmoke detection unit 510 detects smoke, the motion sensing unit 514 maybe initialized to sense motion. However, if there is no heat sensed fromthe oven or stove, the smoke detector 500 may sound the alarm 512whether or not motion is sensed by the motion detector unit 514. Thismay prevent the smoke detector 500 from failing to sound an alarm in thecase of a real fire even if motion was present. This is because not allmotion may result in actual awareness of a fire, such as if a child orbaby was moving around in a room where a fire was starting. Stillfurther, if cooking smoke and movement are each detected by the smokedetector 500 but the movement later stops, a countdown may be enacted.Upon reaching the end of the countdown with no further movement, thesmoke alarm 500 may sound the alarm. This countdown may, for example, bea minute long.

In still another embodiment, the device 10, 300, 400, 500 may includeadditional timer capabilities. In the previously described embodiments,a timer would begin a countdown when a heat sensor detected a certaindegree of heat. The countdown would be reset each time a motion detectordetected movement. Additional timers may also be configured on thedevice 10, 300, 400, 500. For example, the first previously describedtimer may be configured with a certain time-length if the heat sensorsenses head below a certain temperature. However, an additional timermay be included for a shorter time length if the heat sensor senses heatabove the certain temperature. In this way, several timers may be setdependent on the heat that is detected. The greater the heat beingdetected, the less amount of time that the timer may count down frombefore an alarm is set.

Referring now to FIG. 9, another device 600 is shown. The device 600 mayinclude some or all of the capabilities, structure, and programming ofthe devices 10, 300, 400, 500 described hereinabove to the extent notinconsistent with the disclosure included hereinafter.

The device 600 may include some or all of a processor 602, a receiver604, a transmitter 606, a heat sensor 608, a motion detector 610, asmoke detector 612, a carbon detector 614, and an alarm 616. It shouldbe understood that each of these elements 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612,614, 616 may include one or more component parts which make up theentirety of element to be described hereinbelow. Further, each of theseelements 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 may be housed within asingle device housing, as shown in FIGS. 12-14. In other embodiments,the elements 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 may be dispersedbetween a number of separately housed devices which may, in combination,comprise a detection or alarm system. Moreover, hereinafter the motiondetector 610, smoke detector 612, carbon detector 614, and heat sensor608 may each be referred to, individually, or collectively, as a sensingstructure. Thus, hereinafter, “sensing structure” may include one ormore of these elements 608, 610, 612, 614, but is not limited to theseelements and may include any element that is configured to sense acondition from the environment external to the device 600. Stillfurther, while the smoke detector 612 and the carbon monoxide detector614 may be referred to as “detectors,” it should be understood thatthese may be referred to as “alarms” and may each be a standalone devicehaving its own separate alarm component. In this embodiment, theseparate devices 612, 614 may be in communication with an externalprocessor 602 which may be included as part of a separate unit within aheating device monitoring structure. Thus, the smoke detector 612 andcarbon monoxide detector 614 may be standard alarms with an additionaltransmitter and/or receiver for communicating information to theexternal processor 602.

The sensing structure of the device 600 may be configured to determinewhether a person is proximate a heating apparatus 650, as shown in FIGS.12 and 13. In one embodiment, the motion detector 610 may actually bethe same element as the heat sensor 608. In one embodiment the heatsensor 608 may be, for example, an infrared sensor. The heat sensor 608may be pointed directly at the heating apparatus 650 in a manner that aperson working proximate the heating apparatus 650 would walk betweenthe heating apparatus 650 and the device 600 or the heat sensor 608. Inthis embodiment, the heat sensor 608 may be configured to detect motionproximate the heating apparatus 650 by monitoring the heat proximate theheating apparatus 650 and determining whether there is an immediatetemperature drop as a result of a person walking between the heat sensor608 and the heating apparatus 650. Thus, if a person walks between theheat sensor 608 of the device 600 and the heating device 650, the device600 may translate this temperature drop as representative of motionproximate the heating apparatus 650. Moreover, it should also beunderstood that an extremely fast, or instantaneous increase intemperature could result in the determination that the person is or wasproximate the heating device 650. Thus, one or both of these parameters(the very fast or instantaneous increase or decrease in temperaturesensed by the heat sensor 608) may be used to sense motion. In oneembodiment, the sensing of motion may accomplished by other motionsensing systems as described hereinabove, such as by a more conventionalmotion detector 610. Whatever the embodiment, the detection of motionmay reset alarm countdowns as described hereinabove with respect to thedevices 10, 300, 400, 500.

In an additional embodiment, the heat sensor 608 components of thedevice 600 may further include an additional sensor of capability of theheat sensor 608 which is configured to monitor the temperature of theceiling, or a portion of the ceiling, of the room in which the device600 is fixed within. This monitoring may help facilitate thedetermination by the processor 602 whether there is danger of a fire. Itshould be understood that the heat sensor 608 may be a thermistor, abi-metal sensor, an infrared sensor, a thermal sensor, or the like.

In addition to determining whether a person is proximate the heatingapparatus 650, the sensing structure may further be configured todetermine whether the heating apparatus 650 has a temperature that isabove a threshold. Once again, this may be accomplished by the heatsensor 608. Similar to the previous embodiments described herein, theprocessor 602 may be in operable communication with the sensingstructure (608, 610, etc.) and may be configured to cyclically repeat afirst countdown. One or more components of the sensing structure may betemporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns.The processor 602 may be configured to perform a second countdown whenthe activated sensing structure determines that the heating apparatushas the temperature that is above the threshold.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor 602 may be configured toperform the second countdown when the activated sensing structuredetermines that the heating apparatus has a temperature that isincreasing at a rate greater than a threshold. In this embodiment, afast increase in temperature at the location of the heating device 650may result in the determination, by the processor 602, that the heatingdevice 650 is activated. Moreover combinations of logic are contemplatedwhereby the processor looks at a combination of factors, including therate of change of the increase in temperature, along with the currenttemperature, for determining whether to begin performing the secondcountdown. It should be understood that any logic combination of thesetwo parameters for determining when to begin the second countdown, iscontemplated.

The second countdown may be reset each time the sensing structuredetermines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus 650.Furthermore, the alarm 616 may be configured to notify a user when theprocessor 602 reaches the end of the second countdown. This resettingstep and this alarm step may be accomplished in similar manners to thatdescribed hereinabove with respect to the devices 10, 300, 400, 500.

The device 600 may further include the smoke detector 612 and the carbonmonoxide detector 614. In one embodiment, one or both of the smokedetector 612 and the carbon monoxide detector 614 may be turned off orplaced in a silent mode by the processor 602 when the sensing structuredetermines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is abovethe threshold or the change of temperature is increasing at a rategreater than a predetermined rate. The turning off of the smoke detector612 and/or the carbon monoxide detector 614 may also be placing thesecomponents 612, 614 into a stand by mode or a dormant mode. One or bothof the smoke detector 612 and the carbon monoxide detector 614 likewisemay be turned on by the processor 602 when the sensing structuredetermines that the heating apparatus 650 has the temperature that isbelow the threshold or when the device otherwise determines that theheating device 650 is no longer in use. This functionality may allow thedevice 100 to take over for the smoke detector 612 when the sensingstructure determines that the heating device 650 is on. This may allowfor the heating device to be monitored by the device 100 withoutunnecessary alarms being set and sounded as a result of harmless smokefrom the heating device 650. Because the functionality of the device 100may be configured to safely notify and sound the alarm in the event of atrue emergency, the standard functionality of the smoke detector 612component may not be necessary at the time that the device isoperational in detecting movement proximate the heating device 650during the use of the heating device 650.

In one embodiment, one or both of the smoke detector 612 and the carbonmonoxide detector 614 may be configured to enter a cooking mode when thesensing mechanism determines that the heating device 650 has thetemperature above the threshold or the temperature of the heating device650 has been increasing a rate greater than a threshold rate. Whenentered into the cooking mode by the smoke detector 612 and the carbonmonoxide detector 614, the threshold for triggering the alarm 616, oranother alarm triggerable by the smoke detector 612 and the carbonmonoxide detector 614 (in the event that these detectors 612, 614 arestandalone devices distinct from the stove monitoring features of thedevice 100) may be increased. Thus, in the event that the heatingappliances 650 is in use, the smoke alarm 612 and the carbon monoxidealarm 614 may be less sensitive and therefore less likely to go off,thereby preventing false alarms because of harmless cooking smoke orheat. In other embodiments, if the heating device 650 is hot or heatingup, and the device 600 detects movement at the heating device 650 in anymanner described herein, this detection may be processed by theprocessor 602 which may thereafter send a “hush” or “silent” signal tothe smoke detector 612 or the carbon monoxide detector 614 for apredetermined period of time, such as for the amount of time provided inthe second countdown. It should further be understood that the smokedetector 612 and the carbon monoxide detector 614 may be partiallydisabled when the heating appliance 650 is determined to be on by thedevice 600. For example, only the speaker of the alarm 616 may bedisabled. Alternately, the photo detector or ionization chamber of thedevice 600 may be disabled in other embodiments.

In embodiments when the device 600 takes over, or causes smoke detectorand carbon monoxide detector functionality to enter a sleep mode, orless sensitive state, the smoke detector 612 and the carbon monoxidedetector 614 may each be fully reactivated when the device 600determines that the heating appliance 650 is no longer in use (based onthe temperature and/or change of temperature detection due totemperature decreases). However, in other embodiments, the smokedetector 612 and the carbon monoxide detector 614 may be reactivatedonly after a predetermined period of time has passed after the device600 determines that the heating appliance 650 is no longer turned on.This delay may prevent false alarms due to lingering cooking smoke inthe air after cooking.

It should further be understood that the smoke detector 612 and thecarbon monoxide detector 614 may be integrated into the device 600 ormay be separate devices included in the same system, as describedhereinbelow and shown in FIG. 10. Whatever the embodiment, thesedetectors 612, 614 may work together in detecting a dangerous situation.For example, in one embodiment, the detection of smoke without highcarbon monoxide levels may simply imply normal cooking, whereas a truefire may trigger high levels of both smoke and carbon monoxide.

In accordance with embodiments described hereinabove, the device 600 maynot continually monitor for whether the heating appliance 650 is turnedon to begin cooking Rather, the device may only check once every fewminutes, for example, to see whether a device has had a temperaturechange. Thus, it is possible that the heating appliance 650 is turned onimmediately after the device 600 has checked for a temperature change.This could result in a situation where the smoke detector 612 and thecarbon monoxide detector 614 are not yet placed into a sleep mode or astand by mode or other less active mode. This could result in a falsealarm state caused by harmless cooking smoke, for example. In order toprevent this, if the smoke detector 612 or the carbon monoxide detector614 pick up any activity or increase in levels, the device 600 mayimmediately enter an active mode thereby instantly triggering anothercheck of the temperature of the heating device 650. In anotherembodiment, this exact situation could trigger a soft alarm, whereby thedevice 600 is configured to let a user or cook know to step away fromthe heating device 650 in order allow the device 600 to get an accuratereading on whether the heating device 650 is in use.

In additional embodiments, it should be understood that the device 600may be configured to simultaneously monitor, in the manners describedherein and with respect to the devices 10, 300, 400, 500, more than oneheating appliance, such as the heating device 650. For example, inindustrial kitchens, or in houses having a plurality of kitchens orheating appliances, a single device may be centrally located in a roomand may be configured to monitor each of the heating appliances.Alternately, a plurality of devices 600 may each include separate anddistinct sensing structures. In one embodiment, a single processor 602may be located centrally, and may be in communication with each of theplurality of devices 600 having the respective sensing structures. Thisprocessor may perform the same functionality as described hereinabove.In other embodiments, each of the plurality of devices may be autonomousand each may include its own separate processor 602 for performing thefunctionality described herein.

In another embodiment, the processor 602 may be configured to turn onthe heat sensor 608 to take an instantaneous, or single look at theheating appliance 650. If the heating appliance 650 is determined to beon using the various logic inquiries described hereinabove, a timer maybe started by the processor. During this second timer, the motiondetector 610 may actually not be activated. The motion detection 610 maysimply be activated at the end of the second timer. At the end of thesecond timer, the motion detector 610 may be activated for anothersingle instantaneous look. If there is motion detected, the timer mayreset, and the motion detector 610 goes back to the inactive state untilthe end of the timer once again reactivates it to check for motion. Ifmotion is not detected, the alarm 616 may sound. This may conservebattery life by keeping the motion detector 610 functionality inactivelonger such that the motion detector 610 is not constantly active.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a system 660 is shown. The system 660 includesa system processor 662 located at an unspecified location in a dwelling658. The system 660 includes a heating appliance monitor 664, a smokedetector 666, a carbon monoxide detector 668 located in a kitchen room670. The system 660 further includes a second smoke detector 672 locatedin a first bedroom 674 and a third smoke detector 676 located in asecond bedroom 678. The system further includes a second carbon detector680 located in a second story hallway 682. Finally, the system 660 maybe connected to a manufacturers head end 684 located outside thedwelling. The system processor 662 may be connected to the head end 684over the internet or via a direct network connection. Moreover, thesystem processor 662 may be connected to the head end 684 over acellular network as well.

In this embodiment, a single system processor 662 may be located in adwelling for controlling multiple separate devices having their ownsensing functionality and/or alarm functionality. In the embodimentshown, the kitchen 670 may include three separate devices: the smokedetector 666, the appliance monitor 664, and the carbon detector 668. Itshould be understood that the combination of these three devices 666,664, 668, along with the system processor 662, may perform the samefunctionality as described herein with respect to the device 600. Thus,the stove monitor 664, for example, may include a motion sensor, heatsensor, transmitter, receiver, processor, and alarm similar to themotion sensor 610, heat sensor 608, alarm 616, receiver 604, transmitter606 and processor 602. The smoke detector 666 may include a smokedetector along with an alarm, a transmitter, and a receiver, along withan optional processor. Likewise, the carbon detector 668 may include acarbon detector, an alarm, a transmitter, a receiver, and an optionalprocessor. These standalone devices 666, 664, 668 may communicate backand forth with the processor 662 to perform the same function asdescribed hereinabove. In one embodiment, the processor 662 may actuallybe located in the heating appliance monitor 664. In one systemembodiment, the heating appliance monitor 664 may include the onlyprocessor in the entire system. In the system embodiment, the processor662 may be in communication with a head end 684 located off site. Thehead end 684 may be at an alarm or home monitoring company, ormanufacturer of one or more of the devices in the system, which collectsand analyzes the data received by the system processor 662. In oneembodiment, the head end 684 may be a cellular device. It should beunderstood that various embodiments of systems including a heatingappliance monitor 664 having some or all of the features andfunctionality of the devices 10, 300, 400, 500, 600 described herein arecontemplated. Moreover, the head end 684 may further be sent duplicatesignals to show that one or more of the devices in the system weretriggered into an alarm state. Moreover, the head end 684 may beconfigured to receive information as to when a device in the system isin a low battery state. This data may be collected by the head end 684,and may allow the head end 684 to send communications to the owners ofthe protected dwelling if necessary. It should be understood that thesystem 660 may only send signals to the head end 684 in an escalatedsituation (e.g. when an alarm is triggered multiple times in a shorttime period, or if a device is determined to be fully out of batteries).In other embodiments, the head end 684 may simply receive every piece ofdata collected by the processor 662.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a registration system 690 is shown including aheating appliance monitor 692, an alarm system processor 694 and aregistered device 696, and a heating appliance 698. In this embodiment,it is contemplated that the registration system 690 may be configured toregister the registered device 696, such as the personal mobilecommunicator 696, to the system. The system 690 may include atransmitter in operable communication with the processor that isconfigured to send a message to the personal mobile communicator 696 asthe personal mobile communicator 696, for example, leaves apredetermined proximity distance from the heating appliance 698. Itshould be understood that the heating appliance monitor 692 in thisembodiment may include any or all of the functionality of the devices10, 300, 400, 500, 600 described hereinabove. The system processor 694may be an internal processor of the device 692, or may be a separateprocessor as described hereinabove with respect to the embodiment shownin FIG. 10. Whatever the embodiment, the system may be able to determineif a phone or other communicator has left the vicinity of a heatingappliance when the heating appliance is in a turned on state. In thisembodiment, the registered device could receive a call or, for example,a text message, asking the registered device if they are the cook. If,for example, this is answered in the negative, the system 690 mayunregister the registered device. However, multiple devices may beregistered into the system 690 simultaneously. The system 690 may beconfigured to utilize the GPS system found in the registered devices696, such as cell phones, to determine if the registered device leavesthe vicinity of the heating appliance 698. This may help to preventusers from leaving a dwelling if the heating appliance monitor 692determines that the heating appliance 698 is active and hot.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a perspective view of a room is shown havingthe device 600 installed in the ceiling. In particular, the device 600is shown attached to the ceiling above, but in front of the heatingdevice 650. Thus, the device 600 is particularly located in the roomsuch that the person 601 cooking will be located between the device 600and the heating device 650.

Referring to FIG. 13, another perspective view of another room is shownhaving the device 600 installed in the ceiling with a base component640. Extending from the base component 640 is an elongated element orarm 642. The arm 642 may be telescopic in one embodiment. The arm 642may be hingedly attached to the base component 640 with full rotationalfreedom such that the arm 640 is capable of always extending directlydownward, for example, when the base is attached to a slanted ceiling.Additionally, the telescopic nature of the arm 642 may be configured toallow the device 600 to hang from the perfect height above the heatingappliance 650 such that the sensors in the device 600 can achievemaximum accuracy.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a close up view of the device 600 is shown. Inthis embodiment, the device 600 is spherical in shape. However, itshould be understood that other shapes and sizes are contemplated.Furthermore, the device 600 is shown including a recess or cavity 644.The recess 644 may be configured to receive a laser pointer element 646.This laser pointer element 646, when input into the cavity 644, may beconfigured to point directly in a direction of one or more of thesensors of the device 600. This laser pointer element 646 may be carriedaround by an installer of the device 600 so that a single laser pointerelement 646 can be used to properly install multiple devices 600 inmultiple homes. Moreover, the device 600 may be configured to rotateabout the elongated element or arm 642 such that the device 600 can beproperly calibrated so that it faces the proper direction uponinstallation.

In other embodiments, the removable laser pointer element 646 may beintegrated into the device itself as a permanent component of thedevice. The device may further include a button 648 for, in the casethat the laser is an integral component to the device 600, activatingthe laser.

Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either thearticles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there areone or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” andtheir derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may beadditional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or”when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any termor combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used todistinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A system for monitoring a heating apparatus comprising: a sensing structure configured to determine whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus, the sensing structure further configured to determine whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold; a processor in operable communication with the sensing structure configured to cyclically repeat a first countdown, and wherein the sensing structure is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns, and wherein the processor is configured to perform a second countdown when the activated sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold, and wherein the second countdown is reset each time the sensing structure determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus; and an alarm configured to notify a user when the processor reaches the end of the second countdown.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing structure is an infrared sensor configured to determine whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus by sensing a temperature drop when the user walks between the sensing structure and the heating apparatus, and wherein the infrared sensor is further configured to determine whether the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing structure includes a first sensor for determining whether the user is proximate the heating apparatus, and wherein the sensing structure includes a second sensor for determining whether the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above a threshold.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a smoke detector.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a carbon monoxide detector.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the smoke detector is turned off or placed in a silent mode by the processor when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold, and wherein the smoke detector is turned on by the processor when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is below the threshold.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the carbon monoxide detector is turned off or placed in a silent mode by the processor when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold, and wherein the carbon monoxide detector is turned on by the processor when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is below the threshold.
 8. The system of claim 4, wherein the smoke detector is connected to at least one of the alarm and a second alarm such that the alarm is configured to be triggered when the amount of smoke detected is above a second threshold, and wherein the smoke detector is configured to enter a cooking mode when the sensing mechanism determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold, and wherein the cooking mode increases the second threshold for smoke detector for triggering the at least one of the alarm and the second alarm.
 9. The system of claim 5, wherein the carbon monoxide detector is connected to at least one of the alarm and a second alarm such that the alarm is configured to be triggered when the amount of carbon monoxide detected is above a second threshold, and wherein the carbon monoxide detector is configured to enter a cooking mode when the sensing mechanism determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold, and wherein the cooking mode increases the second threshold for carbon monoxide detector for triggering the at least one of the alarm and the second alarm.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a registration system configured to register devices to the system, further comprising transmitter in operable communication with the processor, and wherein the transmitter is configured to send a message to a registered device as the registered device leaves a predetermined proximity distance from the heating apparatus.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a laser pointer configured to point a laser light in a direction that at least one sensor of the sensing structure is pointing for calibration during setup.
 12. The system of claim 6, wherein the smoke detector is turned on by the processor when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is below the threshold after a predetermined amount of time has passed.
 13. The system of claim 7, wherein the carbon monoxide detector is turned on by the processor when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is below the threshold after a predetermined amount of time has passed.
 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a head end located at a different location than the sensing structure and the processor, wherein the head end is in operable communication with the processor, and wherein the processor transmits data to the head end, and wherein the data relates to the status of the system.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing structure is configured to monitor the temperature of a ceiling that the sensing structure is attached to.
 16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a base attachable to a ceiling, and an elongated element extending from the base, wherein the sensing structure is located at an end of the elongated element, and wherein the elongated element is adjustable by length, and wherein the elongated element is adjustable by the angle with which the elongated element extends from the base.
 17. A system for monitoring a heating apparatus comprising: a sensing structure configured to determine whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus, the sensing structure further configured to determine whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold; a processor in operable communication with the sensing structure configured to cyclically repeat a first countdown, and wherein the sensing structure is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns, and wherein the processor is configured to perform a second countdown when the activated sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is increasing at a rate greater than a threshold, and wherein the second countdown is reset each time the sensing structure determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus; and an alarm configured to notify a user when the processor reaches the end of the second countdown.
 18. A method of monitoring a heating apparatus, the method comprising: repeating a first countdown of a first set period with a processor; activating a sensing structure at the end of each of the repeated first countdowns, the sensing structure configured to determine whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold; performing a second countdown of a second set period with the processor when the heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold; detecting motion with the sensing structure when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above the threshold; resetting the second countdown when motion is detected by the motion sensor; and alarming a user with an alarm when the processor reaches the end of the second countdown.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising sensing a temperature drop when the user walks between the sensing structure and the heating apparatus to detect motion.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising turning off or placing in a silent mode a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold, and further comprising turning on the smoke detector and the carbon monoxide detector when the sensing structure determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is below the threshold. 